Monrovia – The Chairman of the Rule of Law Legislative Caucus, Rep. Musa Hassan Bility (District #7, Nimba County), has announced the caucus is open to a legislative dialogue to resolve the ongoing impasse.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
However, he reaffirmed the caucus’s unwavering support for Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa as the legitimate Speaker of the House.
Addressing his first press conference at the Capitol Building since his election as Caucus Chairman, Bility denounced several decisions made by the Majority Bloc, describing them as unconstitutional and in violation of House rules.
Criticism of Majority Bloc Decisions
Rep. Bility outlined several grievances against the Majority Bloc, including the election of a new speaker while a constitutionally elected speaker remains in office, the suspension and withholding of salaries of lawmakers aligned with the Rule of Law Caucus, in what he termed a clear breach of House rules, the dissolution and reconstitution of all legislative committees in violation of House procedures and the refusal to release benefits due to members of the Rule of Law Caucus, despite funds having been remitted to the House’s account by the Ministry of Finance.
Commitment to Legal and Legislative Action
Bility emphasized the caucus’s dedication to upholding the rule of law, stating that the group would continue to pursue legal actions while working toward a legislative resolution.
“We want to emphasize that we remain committed to the rule of law, which includes taking further appropriate legal actions while pursuing legislative resolution on the floor of the House of Representatives,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Liberian people for their support, vowing to remain steadfast in defending the principles of justice and good governance.
Majority Bloc’s Reconciliation Efforts See Mixed Signals
Bility’s statement coincides with the Majority Bloc’s announcement of plans to hold a retreat aimed at reconciling members of the House of Representatives and their staff. The announcement was made on Monday at the close of the first session of the House.
The session saw four members of the Pro-Koffa lawmakers—Reps. Sumo Mulbah (CDC, District #3, Montserrado), Ellen Attoh Wreh (District #3, Margibi), Romeo Quioh (District #1, Sinoe) and Priscilla Cooper (UP, District #5, Montserrado) —joining the Majority Bloc for deliberations. Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Majority Bloc-backed Speaker Richard Koon welcomed their presence and extended an invitation to all Pro-Koffa lawmakers to attend future sessions.
However, Rep. Ellen Attoh Wreh and Sumo Mulbah clarified that their participation in Monday’s session should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of their support for Speaker Koffa. They emphasized that their attendance was part of efforts to foster legislative dialogue and promote reconciliation within the House.
Rep. Quioh said his decision to join the Majority Block is necessary to afford the opportunity to better represent his people.
The gesture underscores the challenges in bridging the divide within the House, as both factions appear steadfast in their positions while acknowledging the need for dialogue to resolve the ongoing impasse.
